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‘Captain Underpants’ Tops Library Complaints List

The children’s book series Captain Underpants has reportedly received more library complaints than Fifty Shades of Grey.

The American Library Association recently stated that author Dav Pilkey’s novels received more complaints from patrons than any other book on the shelves in 2012. Many people have taken issue with the books since they feel the content in inappropriate for kids.

The number of complaints the Captain Underpants series has received helped push it to the top of the list. Although the books have been listed on three separate occasions since 2002, this is the first time the series has reached the top spot.

Pilkey doesn’t seem to have a problem with Captain Underpants being on the library complaints list. However, he is concerned that it could prevent parents from getting the books for their children.

The author said in a statement.

“It’s pretty exciting to be on a list that frequently features Mark Twain, Harper Lee, and Maya Angelou. But I worry that some parents might see this list and discourage their kids from reading ‘Captain Underpants,’ even though they have not had a chance to read the books themselves.”

As for the controversy surrounding his work, Pilkey said he didn’t understand why parents and educators have taken issue with the stories.

He added, “I don’t see these books as encouraging disrespect for authority. Perhaps they demonstrate the value of questioning authority. Some of the authority figures in the Captain Underpants books are villains. They are bullies and they do vicious things.”

Although E.L. James’ controversial novel Fifty Shades of Grey also made the list, it didn’t rank as high as others. Author Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian came in second, while Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why landed in third place.

The American Library Association said the list is compiled from formal written complaints lodged with schools and libraries. The Office for Intellectual Freedom received 464 complaints over the course of 2012. This is reportedly a 25 percent increase from last year.

Here’s the top 10 list of offenders.

1. Captain Underpants Series by Dav Pilkey
2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
3. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
4. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
5. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
6. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
7. Looking for Alaska by John Green
8. Scary Stories Series by Alvin Schwartz
9. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
10. Beloved by Toni Morrison

Do you like the Captain Underpants series? Are you surprised the books received the most library complaints during 2012?